ÿWPCƒ0 ºËýž×½Æ`Ò2¢F>sÈ[+Ñ‹ò-êpi/VA.”Ž,‘0R ÌFÏ÷ Éu>S±æÊN%2/a~A€’yoÙ‘xà–ÊŸË;lFlà‡à•|ïïß{E1V™ýd¯i{ ÃE±¿Ö!ÌI Åz¿voI{´]‘Yê¸s|¨hñMub‰(~4WÙ×ÜCCëÜLÃV5\ë‹~­vŠ 9„Ó#üwƒØ^óÁ)ÆÀÖÝXÂFð7ßßAZ$ 9´û6Q 0™ò`€ÆéöVI§9Ì8°Uç·o˜dæ ni>M¿Ñ03ŽYXÖéªæ2ùc<¥ex܈Žá¼¹TÍlWäíáÌl—>J ¼Þþ<ýøÇÛ£î[Ü™™ãÈqó5Ït‘܇qŽ%ôÒUèDíoñ±—z %—ŸeO¨È˜Ã ä?ÑÄË +?œó°½Ú„d ¿áa¡f)½FóSXN~ž ͨ=¯Ê€|.Rp Üh¾ÛýCcL×S‚î%BÏæÛA ×g;Ù«Ñ3¡ðï÷Ä|#ÁÈ^ ‰ %• 0ˆ› UN# wq 4u z‰ Ò Õ ä mæ 0Dý ÆA ÆÆÍÆ“YNss 0UuEÊ 0ãÌ 0ů 0¿t 0¹3 0³ì 0­Ÿ 0§L 0¡ó 0Å” 0ÑY 0³* 0­Ý 0§Š 0¡1 0›Ò 0•m 0 0 0ÎQ 0° 0ªÏ 0¤y 0ž!b»! 0˜Ã! 0’[" 0Ší"í"¯w#u&$š›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%›%5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5(5( 0ëQ+Q+Q+Q+ B<,<, 0¤Y, D5ý, D-2- 0K_-_- ASª-Æý- 0¤Ã. 0Dg/ A««/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/«/ B-V0˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0š’P-s »(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularš‚,-ing$é­ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ý ƒR¥{$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôëÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWe€have€determined€that€recounting€the€specifics€of€Ms.€Lambððs€statements€to€Dr.€Brandon„Campbell€servesÐ ° Ðno€useful€purpose.*+ ÿÿ(_26Ô2ÔÔ3  Ôà..à*G+G ÿÿ(_25Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*8+8 ÿÿ(_24Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó*5+5 ÿÿ(_23Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó*2+2 ÿÿ(_22Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó*/+/ ÿÿ(_21Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó*,+, ÿÿ(_20Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó*)+) ÿÿ(_19Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó*&+& ÿÿ(_18Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó*AA ÿÿ(_17Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó*GG ÿÿ(_16Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*88 ÿÿ(_15Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó*55 ÿÿ(_14Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó*22 ÿÿ(_13Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó*// ÿÿ(_12Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó*,, ÿÿ(_11Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó*)) ÿÿ(_10Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó(&& ÿÿ&_9Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó(AA ÿÿ&_8Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(GG ÿÿ&_7Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó(88 ÿÿ&_6Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó(55 ÿÿ&_5Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó(22 ÿÿ&_4Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó(// ÿÿ&_3Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó- ù-(,, ÿÿ&_2Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó()) ÿÿ&_1Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó&&& ÿÿ$_Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó ¥Ý ƒR¥{$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôëÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMs.€Lamb€has€a€history€of€constipation. kÝ ƒR¥{$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôëÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔEven€if€we€were€to€find€that€the€evidence€establishes€that€Ms.€Lamb€had€been€sexually€molested€at€some€time,Ð ° Ðthe€evidence€is€not€sufficient€to€pinpoint€September€14,€1992€as€the€date€on€which€the€molestation€occurred. Ý ƒR¥{$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôëÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€person€seeking€damages€for€negligence€must€prove:€(1)€that€the€defendant€owed€him€or€her€a€duty€of€care,Ð ° Ð(2)€that€the€defendantððs€conduct€breached€this€duty,€(3)€that€the€person€seeking€damages€suffered€an€injury€or€loss,€(4)Ð tÄ Ðthat€the€defendantððs€conduct€was€the€cause„in„fact€of€his€or€her€injury€or€loss,€and€(5)€that€no€existing€rule€of€law€relievesÐ 8ˆ Ðthe€defendant€from€liability€for€its€negligence.€€òòMcCall€v.€Wilderóó,€913€S.W.2d€150,€153€(Tenn.€1995).€€  P.J.LivingstonOnnieWinebargerByrdstownTarletonPinehaven LREPeavyhouseMssesCookevilleJROTCBrannons TBIGallowayDunnsAebischer t]hesodomizedBernet i]tBeareGanzevoortGilreathAssocsMcCroskeyFentressRosofQuinleyCockeSeaversUtils COAKeetonProsserrebuttableArmesHulettCantrell Mses tled(|G2¥{$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€]e»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôëÝò»»Ô d(|3I]$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€]e»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3I]$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€]e»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK)Hairline dÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€]e»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼]e»»»ÔÑ8€yXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îEd]eÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼]e»îîEd #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓMarch€3,€1999€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XyX»¼]eÔÌò òÔ#†¼]e»XXyò#ÔANNA€LAMB€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEEÔ‡XyX»¼]eÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Tennessee€Claims€CommissionÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€301696€€€€€€W.R.€Baker,€CommissionerÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1998„00910„COA„R12„CV€„€Filed€October€16,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÔ#†¼]e»XXyW#ÔÔ€XyX»¼]eÔÓ  ÓThis€appeal€stems€from€a€motherððs€allegations€that€her€mentally€impaired€daughter€was€sexuallyÐ xÈ  Ðabused€while€in€the€custody€of€the€Alvin€C.€York€Agricultural€Institute.€€The€mother€filed€a€claimÐ d´ Ðon€her€daughterððs€behalf€with€the€Division€of€Claims€seeking€$300,000€in€damages.€€The€claim€wasÐ P  Ðtransferred€to€the€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€where,€following€a€hearing,€a€CommissionerÐ <Œ Ðdismissed€the€claim€because€the€mother€had€failed€to€establish€that€her€daughter€had€been€sexuallyÐ (x Ðabused€while€she€was€in€the€Stateððs€custody.€€The€mother€asserts€on€this€appeal€that€the€evidenceÐ d Ðpreponderates€against€the€Commissionerððs€findings.€€We€affirm€the€Commissionerððs€dismissal€of€theÐ P Ðclaim.€Ð ì< ÐÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€12(II)€Direct€Appellate€Review;€Judgment€of€the€Tennessee€ClaimsÐ Ä ÐCommission€Affirmedó óÐ ° ÐÌòòÓ  ÓWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Cantrell,€P.J.,€M.S.,óóÐ ˆØ Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€J.óó,€joined.Ð tÄ ÐÌJohn€H.€Little€and€Lynda€Simmons,€Livingston,€Tennessee,€and€Onnie€L.€Winebarger,€Byrdstown,Ð L œ ÐTennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Anna€Lamb.Ð 8!ˆ  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€and€MarthaÐ #`" ÐA.€Tarleton,€Senior€Counsel,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð ü#L# ÐÌò òà@66'ìàOPINIONó óˆÐ Ô%$!% ÐÌà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌà  àMichelle€Lamb€is€a€25„year„old,€mentally€impaired€woman€who€lives€in€Jamestown€with€herÐ „)Ô$) Ðmother,€Anna€Lamb,€and€her€two€younger€brothers.€€She€is€moderately€mentally€retarded,€and€sheÐ p*À%* Ðfunctions€at€the€level€of€a€five„year„old.€€Ms.€Lamb€also€has€a€severe€refractory€seizure€disorder€thatÐ \+¬&+ Ðhas€been€treated€with€surgery€and€requires€medication€to€control.€€Ms.€Lambððs€conditions€haveÐ H,˜', Ðsignificantly€impaired€her€cognitive€functions.€€Because€she€is€impaired€in€the€receptive€andÐ 4-„(-ý ÐÔ_Ôexpressive€language,€she€has€limited€communication€skills.€€She€has€a€poor€memory€and€finds€itÐ ° Ðdifficult€to€concentrate€or€pay€attention€either€because€of€brief€seizure€activity€or€because€she€isÐ œì Ðsedated€by€the€medication€she€is€required€to€take.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àMs.€Lamb€began€having€seizures€when€she€was€eight€months€old.€€Her€other€impairmentsÐ `° Ðbecame€evident€after€she€enrolled€for€kindergarten€at€Pinehaven€Elementary€School,€and€she€wasÐ L œ Ðplaced€in€a€special€education€class.€€At€the€beginning€of€second€grade,€Ms.€Lamb€was€transferred€toÐ 8 ˆ Ða€special€education€program€at€York€Elementary€School.€€Her€mother€objected€to€the€transfer€andÐ $ t Ðrequested€that€Ms.€Lamb€remain€in€the€special€education€room€at€Pinehaven€Elementary.€€ContraryÐ  ` Ðto€Anna€Lambððs€wishes,€her€daughter€remained€at€York€Elementary.€€Her€teachers€reported€that€sheÐ ü L  Ðwas€moody,€that€her€progress€was€slow€and€difficult,€and€that€her€socialization€with€others€wasÐ è 8  Ðproblematic.€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThe€first€report€of€sexual€abuse€involving€Ms.€Lamb€occurred€in€mid„July€1990€when€she€toldÐ ¬ü  Ðher€mother€during€a€bath€that€her€16„year„old€cousin€had€engaged€in€oral€sex€with€her€while€he€wasÐ ˜è  Ðbabysitting.€€Over€one€week€later,€Anna€Lamb€reported€her€daughterððs€statements€to€their€familyÐ „Ô  Ðphysician,€the€Department€of€Human€Services,€and€the€District€Attorney€General.€€The€physicianÐ pÀ Ðfound€what€he€believed€to€be€physical€corroboration€of€probable€sexual€abuse,€but€Ms.€LambððsÐ \¬ Ðcousin€denied€engaging€in€any€sort€of€sexual€conduct€with€her.€€Even€though€the€DepartmentÐ H˜ Ðsuspected€that€Ms.€Lamb€had€been€sexually€abused,€Ms.€Lambððs€cousin€was€never€prosecuted€afterÐ 4„ Ðhe€agreed€to€counseling€and€pretrial€diversion.Ð  p ÐÌà  àMs.€Lamb€transferred€to€the€Alvin€C.€York€Agricultural€Institute€(ð ðYork€Instituteðð)€in€1991Ð øH Ðand€was€enrolled€in€the€Tennessee€LRE€for€Life€program€which€was€designed€to€teach€ð ðsurvivalÐ ä4 Ðskillsðð€to€students€like€Ms.€Lamb€to€enable€them€to€live€in€the€least€restrictive€environment€possible.€Ð Ð  ÐThe€program€included€job€training€and€frequent€off„campus€trips.€€Ms.€Lamb€apparently€did€notÐ ¼  Ðenjoy€being€at€York€Institute.€€In€December€1991,€she€complained€to€her€mother€than€she€had€beenÐ ¨ø Ðpaddled€at€school.€€After€taking€her€daughter€to€the€emergency€room,€Ms.€Lambððs€motherÐ ”ä Ðcomplained€to€the€school€officials€about€the€paddling.€€Thereafter,€the€school€officials€agreed€thatÐ €Ð Ðthey€would€not€spank€Ms.€Lamb€and€that€they€would€try€other€methods€of€discipline.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€second€report€of€sexual€abuse€involving€Ms.€Lamb€occurred€in€June€1992€during€the€lastÐ D!” Ðweek€of€school.€€Ms.€Lamb€told€her€mother€that€ð ðsomebody€came€into€the€room€and€jerked€my€pantsÐ 0"€  Ðdown€and€stuck€their€finger€in€my€butt.ðð€€Her€mother€would€not€permit€Ms.€Lamb€to€return€to€schoolÐ #l! Ðand€requested€the€schoolððs€special€education€coordinator€to€come€to€her€house€to€discuss€the€matter.€Ð $X" ÐMs.€Lamb€never€identified€the€perpetrator,€and€the€special€education€coordinator€assured€her€motherÐ ô$D # Ðthat€Ms.€Lamb€was€never€left€unsupervised.€€Ms.€Lambððs€mother€later€went€to€York€Institute€to€tellÐ à%0!$ ÐPatty€Dunn,€her€daughterððs€teacher,€and€Patsy€Peavyhouse,€a€teacherððs€aid,€that€she€wanted€one€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðthem€to€be€with€Ms.€Lamb€during€the€entire€time€she€was€at€school.€€Mses.€Dunn€and€PeavyhouseÐ ¸'#& Ðassured€her€that€they€would€not€leave€Ms.€Lamb€unsupervised€while€she€was€at€York€Institute.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àMs.€Lamb€returned€to€York€Institute€in€the€fall€of€1992€but€missed€a€great€deal€of€schoolÐ |*Ì%) Ðbecause€of€her€seizures.€€One€of€the€outings€she€missed€was€a€trip€to€Ms.€Dunnððs€barn€to€see€a€newÐ h+¸&* Ðcolt.€€When€Ms.€Lamb€returned€to€school€on€Monday,€September€14,€1992,€Ms.€Dunn,€with€herÐ ° Ðsuperiorððs€permission,€decided€to€take€her€to€the€barn€to€see€the€colt.€€During€the€trip€which€lastedÐ œì Ðapproximately€ninety€minutes,€Ms.€Dunn€stopped€by€her€house€to€change€clothes€because€sheÐ ˆØ Ðplanned€to€take€another€horse€to€a€veterinarian€in€Cookeville€later€that€day,€and€then€drove€Ms.€LambÐ tÄ Ðto€her€barn.€€After€Ms.€Dunn€returned€Ms.€Lamb€to€York€Institute,€she€was€with€Ms.€Peavyhouse€atÐ `° Ðall€times€until€she€was€placed€on€the€bus€to€go€home.€€Ms.€Peavyhouse€reported€that€Ms.€LambÐ L œ Ðseemed€happy€and€was€still€talking€about€the€horses€when€she€got€on€the€bus.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àWhen€Ms.€Lamb€arrived€home,€both€her€mother€and€her€brother€thought€that€she€was€walkingÐ  ` Ðin€an€unusual€manner€and€that€she€was€having€difficulty€sitting€squarely€on€her€seat.€€While€helpingÐ ü L  ÐMs.€Lamb€shower€that€evening,€her€mother€noticed€a€stain€on€her€underwear€that€appeared€to€beÐ è 8  Ðdried€blood.€€She€also€noticed€that€her€daughterððs€rectum€appeared€to€be€swollen€and€torn€and€thatÐ Ô$  Ðshe€had€a€large€bruise€on€her€chest.€€When€Ms.€Lamb€provided€no€explanation€for€these€conditions,Ð À  Ðher€mother€decided€that€her€daughter€was€again€the€victim€of€sexual€abuse€and€that€Ms.€Dunn€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðsomehow€involved€because€her€daughter€had€told€her€earlier€about€going€to€Ms.€Dunnððs€barn.€€EvenÐ ˜è  Ðthough€Anna€Lamb€became€distraught,€she€did€not€seek€medical€assistance€or€report€her€daughterððsÐ „Ô  Ðcondition€to€the€authorities€that€evening.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àAnna€Lamb€did€not€permit€her€daughter€to€return€to€York€Institute€the€following€day.€€SheÐ H˜ Ðtelephoned€her€sister,€Mary€Sue€Brannon,€to€tell€her€that€she€suspected€that€Ms.€Lamb€had€again€beenÐ 4„ Ðmolested€at€school.€€Ms.€Brannon€was€married€to€a€retired€Command€Sergeant€Major€in€the€UnitedÐ  p ÐStates€Army€who€was€the€JROTC€instructor€at€York€Institute.€€When€Ms.€Brannon€related€her€sisterððsÐ  \ Ðconcerns€to€her€husband,€Mr.€Brannon€reported€that€he€had€seen€Ms.€Lamb€leaving€the€school€withÐ øH ÐMs.€Dunn€the€previous€day.€€At€this€point,€Anna€Lamb€and€the€Brannons€became€convinced€that€Ms.Ð ä4 ÐDunn€and€her€husband,€who€was€also€a€teacher€at€York€Institute,€had€molested€Ms.€Lamb€at€theirÐ Ð  Ðbarn.€€Mr.€Brannon€arranged€for€Ms.€Lamb€to€be€examined€by€a€physician€the€following€day.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àMs.€Lambððs€physician€examined€her€on€Wednesday.€While€Ms.€Lamb€did€not€explain€whatÐ ”ä Ðhad€happened€to€her,€her€physician€concluded€that€her€injuries€were€probably€the€result€of€sexualÐ €Ð Ðabuse€and€that€they€were€between€one€day€and€five€days€old.€€To€help€his€sister„in„law,€Mr.€BrannonÐ l¼ Ðtried€without€success€to€contact€the€Tennessee€Bureau€of€Investigationððs€(ð ðTBIðð)€office€inÐ X ¨ ÐCookeville.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àAnna€Lamb€permitted€her€daughter€to€return€to€York€Institute€on€Thursday.€€Mr.€BrannonÐ #l! Ðtried€unsuccessfully€to€contact€the€TBIððs€office€in€Nashville€and€then€passed€on€the€familyððsÐ $X" Ðsuspicions€about€Ms.€Lambððs€sexual€abuse€to€Douglas€Young,€the€superintendent€of€York€Institute.€Ð ô$D # ÐMr.€Young€immediately€contacted€John€Galloway,€an€assistant€district€attorney€general,€whoÐ à%0!$ Ðarranged€to€meet€with€Ms.€Lamb€and€her€mother€at€Mr.€Brannonððs€house€on€Saturday.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àAfter€dropping€off€her€daughter€at€school€on€Thursday,€Anna€Lamb€and€her€two€sisters,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðdressed€in€fatigues€and€armed€with€a€loaded€pistol,€secreted€themselves€near€the€Dunnsðð€horse€barnÐ )à$( Ðâ âin€case€the€Dunns€brought€Ms.€Lamb€back€to€the€barn.€€Their€purpose€was€to€shoot€Patty€Dunn€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðher€husband€if€they€returned€to€the€barn€with€Ms.€Lamb.€€They€waited€for€three€to€four€hours€andÐ ° Ðfinally€left€when€no€one€arrived€at€the€barn.Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àOn€Saturday,€September€19,€1992,€Charles€Scott,€a€TBI€agent€proficient€at€sexual€abuseÐ tÄ Ðinvestigations,€interviewed€Ms.€Lamb€at€the€Brannon€residence.€€He€was€unable€to€obtain€any€usefulÐ `° Ðinformation€from€her.€€Mr.€Brannon€disapproved€of€Mr.€Scottððs€investigative€techniques,€and€afterÐ L œ ÐMr.€Scott€left,€he€decided€to€question€Ms.€Lamb€himself.€€During€this€conversation,€Mr.€BrannonÐ 8 ˆ Ðprofesses€that€Ms.€Lamb,€for€the€first€time,€stated€that€she€had€been€sexually€molested€by€Ms.€DunnÐ $ t Ðand€her€husband,€and€perhaps€others,€at€the€Dunnsðð€home€and€horse€barn.€€Mr.€Brannon€thenÐ  ` Ðtelephoned€Mr.€Galloway€and€offered€to€bring€Ms.€Lamb€to€the€sheriffððs€office€to€tell€her€ð ðsecret.ðð€Ð ü L  ÐOnce€at€the€sheriffððs€office,€Mr.€Brannon€led€Ms.€Lamb€through€an€account€of€the€events€of€theÐ è 8  Ðpreceding€Monday.€€Both€Messrs.€Galloway€and€Scott€believed€that€Ms.€Lamb€was€a€compromisedÐ Ô$  Ðwitness€because€Mr.€Brannon€repeatedly€asked€her€leading,€suggestive,€and€professionallyÐ À  Ðinappropriate€questions.€€Neither€Mr.€Galloway€nor€Mr.€Scott€believed€that€there€was€any€reasonableÐ ¬ü  Ðbasis€to€suspect€that€the€Dunns€had€molested€Ms.€Lamb.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€Department€of€Human€Services€commenced€its€investigation€on€September€24,€1992.€Ð pÀ ÐDuring€interviews€by€different€caseworkers€on€September€24€and€28,€1992,€Ms.€Lamb€repeated€someÐ \¬ Ðof€the€information€Mr.€Brannon€had€earlier€provided€to€the€Department.€€After€interviewing€Ms.Ð H˜ ÐLamb€on€October€8€and€9,€1992,€Gary€L.€Aebischer,€a€licensed€psychological€examiner€and€certifiedÐ 4„ Ðschool€psychologist,€concluded€that€ð ð[t]he€current€findings€are€inconclusive€and€do€not€point€towardÐ  p Ða€consistent€scenario€of€sexual€abuse€.€.€..ðð€€He€noted€that€ð ðthere€are€no€conclusive€indications€thatÐ  \ Ðthis€youngster€is€attempting€to€cope€with€serious€victimizationðð€and€that€ð ðmentally€retardedÐ øH Ðyoungsters€can€easily€be€influenced€into€providing€answers€which€are€in€effect€prompted€by€theÐ ä4 Ðquestions€posed€by€the€inquirer.ðð€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àMs.€Lamb€was€subjected€to€additional€interviews€and€examinations€for€several€more€weeks,Ð ¨ø Ðincluding€a€family€nurse€practitioner€employed€by€Vanderbilt€University€School€of€Medicine.€€SheÐ ”ä Ðremained€generally€uncommunicative€about€her€injuries.€€Several€examiners€concluded€that€herÐ €Ð Ðphysical€condition€was€consistent€with€sexual€penetration€but€declined€to€rule€out€other€causes€or€toÐ l¼ Ðpinpoint€when€the€penetration€could€have€taken€place.€€The€Department€referred€Ms.€Lamb€to€Dr.Ð X ¨ ÐSharon€Brandon„Campbell,€a€psychologist€in€private€practice,€for€counseling€and€safety€training.€Ð D!” ÐDuring€her€ten€sessions€with€Dr.€Brandon„Campbell€which€ended€on€February€23,€1993,€Ms.€LambÐ 0"€  Ðstated€that€Mr.€and€Ms.€Dunn€had€touched€her€in€inappropriate€ways.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð #l! ÐÌà  àThe€authorities€eventually€determined€that€the€evidence€did€not€warrant€criminallyÐ ô$D # Ðprosecuting€the€Dunns€for€sexual€abuse.€€The€Dunns€eventually€moved€to€North€Dakota.€€OnÐ à%0!$ ÐSeptember€3,€1993,€Anna€Lamb€filed€a€claim€with€the€Division€of€Claims€Administration€seekingÐ Ì&"% Ð$300,000€in€damages€for€the€negligent€care,€custody,€and€control€of€Ms.€Lamb.€€She€alleged€that€herÐ ¸'#& Ðdaughter€had€been€ð ðraped,€sodomized,€sexually€abused,€and€assaulted€by€person€or€persons€unknownÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwho€were€at€the€premises€of€CRAIG€and€PATTY€DUNN€and€in€the€presence€of€PATTY€DUNN.ðð€Ð ° ÐThe€State€responded€by€denying€the€material€allegations€of€the€claim.€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àThe€claim€was€transferred€to€the€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€for€trial.€€In€preparation€forÐ tÄ Ðthe€trial,€the€State€retained€Dr.€William€Bernet,€a€child€and€forensic€psychiatrist€serving€as€theÐ `° Ðmedical€director€of€The€Psychiatric€Hospital€at€Vanderbilt.€€Dr.€Bernet€reviewed€Ms.€Lambððs€recordsÐ L œ Ðand€interviewed€Ms.€Lamb€and€her€mother.€€He€concluded€that€the€physical€evidence€was€consistentÐ 8 ˆ Ðnot€only€with€sexual€molestation€but€also€with€other€explanations.€€He€also€determined€that€Ms.Ð $ t ÐLambððs€statements€regarding€sexual€abuse€were€not€the€products€of€her€independent€memory€butÐ  ` Ðrather€were€ð ðverbal€routinesðð€that€were€ð ðderived€from€conversations€that€she€had€with€her€mother,Ð ü L  Ðher€uncle,€and€perhaps€other€relatives.ðð€€Accordingly,€he€concluded€that€ð ð[i]t€is€impossible€to€knowÐ è 8  Ðfrom€.€.€.€[Ms.€Lambððs]€statements€what€actually€happened€to€her€or€who€did€it.ðð€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThe€focus€of€Anna€Lambððs€proof€at€trial€shifted€away€from€the€Dunns.€€She€asserted€that€sheÐ ¬ü  Ðhad€placed€her€daughter€in€the€Stateððs€custody€when€she€dropped€her€off€at€York€Institute€on€theÐ ˜è  Ðmorning€of€September€14,€1992,€and€that€her€daughter€had€somehow€been€sexually€abused€byÐ „Ô  Ðsomeone€that€day€while€she€was€in€the€Stateððs€custody.€€She€reasoned€that€the€State€must€have€beenÐ pÀ Ðacting€negligently€because€the€sexual€abuse€could€not€have€occurred€otherwise.€€€à x àÐ \¬ ÐÌà  àThe€Commissioner€who€presided€over€the€hearing€filed€a€judgment€on€March€3,€1998.€Ð 4„ ÐFollowing€a€detailed€review€of€the€evidence,€the€Commissioner€concluded€that€Anna€Lamb€hadÐ  p Ðfailed€to€prove€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€her€daughter€had€been€sexually€abused€as€aÐ  \ Ðresult€of€York€Instituteððs€negligence.€€Specifically,€the€Commissioner€determined:Ð øH ÐÌà  à(1)à0 ` àthat€it€is€ð ðnot€clearðð€that€the€scarring€in€Ms.€Lambððs€vagina€and€anus€were€caused€byÐ Ð  Ðsexual€abuse€because€the€medical€professionals€who€had€examined€Ms.€Lamb€hadÐ ¼  Ðdeclined€to€rule€out€the€possibility€of€other€causes;Шø` (#` (# ÐÌà  à(2)à0 ` àthat€Ms.€Lambððs€fragmented€descriptions€of€the€events€of€September€14,€1992,€didÐ €Ð Ðnot€support€concluding€that€she€had€been€sexually€abused€because€they€were€ð ðtheÐ l¼ Ðproduct€of€inexpert€questioning€by€her€family€which€produced€suggested€responses;ððÐX ¨` (#` (# ÐÌà  à(3)à0 ` àthat€even€if€Ms.€Lamb€had€been€sexually€abused,€her€motherððs€evidence€failed€toÐ 0"€  Ðestablish€that€this€abuse€occurred€on€September€14,€1992,€or€that€it€occurred€whileÐ #l! ÐMs.€Lamb€was€in€the€Stateððs€custody;€and€finallyÐ$X"` (#` (# ÐÌà  à(4)à0 ` àthat€even€if€Ms.€Lamb€had€been€sexually€abused€on€September€14,€1992,€while€in€theÐ à%0!$ ÐStateððs€custody,€Ms.€Lamb€failed€to€demonstrate€how€the€State€had€been€negligentÐ Ì&"% Ðby€failing€to€protect€her€from€sexual€abuse.и'#&` (#` (# ÐÌà  àAnna€Lamb€has€perfected€this€appeal.€€Rather€than€raising€issues€of€law,€her€arguments€focusÐ )à$( Ðon€the€evidentiary€foundation€of€the€Commissionerððs€judgment.€€She€asserts€that€the€evidenceÐ |*Ì%) Ðpreponderates€against€the€Commissionerððs€conclusion€that€she€failed€to€prove€that€her€daughter€wasÐ h+¸&* Ðsexually€abused€on€September€14,€1992.€€Invoking€the€doctrine€of€res€ipsa€loquitur,€she€also€assertsÐ ° Ðthat€the€State€did€not€adequately€rebut€the€presumption€of€negligence€arising€from€her€daughterððsÐ œì Ðinjuries€because€the€evidence€regarding€her€daughterððs€supervision€at€school€on€September€14,€1992Ð ˆØ Ðwas€ð ðsorely€lacking€with€regard€to€the€Third€Period€between€10:00€am€and€11:00€am.ðð€Ð tÄ ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ˆÐ L œ Ðà@¹¹ ìàòòThe€Evidentiary€Foundation€for€the€Commissionerððs€Conclusionsóóó óˆÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àWe€turn€first€to€Anna€Lambððs€argument€that€the€evidence€does€not€support€theÐ  ` ÐCommissionerððs€conclusion€that€she€failed€to€prove€that€her€daughter€was€sexually€abused€onÐ ü L  ÐSeptember€14,€1992.€€She€asserts€in€this€regard€that€ð ðreasonable€minds€at€all€times€would€concludeÐ è 8  Ðthat€.€.€.€[Ms.]€Lamb€was€indeed€sexually€abused€on€September€14,€1992€while€under€the€care,Ð Ô$  Ðcustody,€and€control€of€York€Institute.ðð€€While€the€evidence€might€permit€reasonable€persons€toÐ À  Ðconclude€that€Ms.€Lamb€was€sexually€abused€on€September€14,€1992,€it€also€permits€reasonableÐ ¬ü  Ðpersons,€including€the€Commissioner,€to€conclude€that€the€sexual€abuse,€if€it€occurred,€did€not€occurÐ ˜è  Ðon€September€14,€1992.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ \¬ ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Claims€Commissionððs€factual€findings,€like€any€other€non„jury€civilÐ 4„ Ðproceeding€are€reviewed€on€appeal€using€the€standards€contained€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).€€òòBeareÐ  p ÐCo.€v.€Stateóó,€814€S.W.2d€715,€717€(Tenn.€1991);€òòPool€v.€Stateóó,€987€S.W.2d€566,€569€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  \ Ð1998).€€These€standards€are€well„settled.€€With€regard€to€findings€of€fact,€we€review€the€record€deÐ øH Ðnovo€and€presume€that€the€findings€of€fact€are€correct€ð ðunless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€isÐ ä4 Ðotherwise.ðð€€We€will€also€give€great€weight€to€any€factual€findings€that€rest€on€determinations€ofÐ Ð  Ðcredibility.€€òòIn€re€Estate€of€Waltonóó,€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997);€òòB€&€G€Constr.,€Inc.€v.€Polkóó,Ð ¼  Ð37€S.W.3d€462,€465€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€However,€in€the€absence€of€findings€of€fact€on€aÐ ¨ø Ðparticular€matter,€we€will€review€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidenceÐ ”ä Ðlies€without€employing€a€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòGanzevoort€v.€Russellóó,€949€S.W.2d€293,€296Ð €Ð Ð(Tenn.€1997).Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àReviewing€findings€of€fact€under€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€requires€an€appellate€court€to€weighÐ D!” Ðthe€evidence€to€determine€in€which€party's€favor€the€weight€of€the€aggregated€evidence€falls.€€ThereÐ 0"€  Ðis€a€ð ðreasonable€probabilityðð€that€a€proposition€is€true€when€there€is€more€evidence€in€its€favor€thanÐ #l! Ðthere€is€against€it.€€Thus,€the€prevailing€party€is€the€one€in€whose€favor€the€evidentiary€scale€tips,€noÐ $X" Ðmatter€how€slightly.€€òòParks€Props.€v.€Maury€Countyóó,€70€S.W.3d€735,€741€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);Ð ô$D # ÐòòRealty€Shop,€Inc.€v.€RR€Westminster€Holding,€Inc.óó,€7€S.W.3d€581,€596€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)ððs€presumption€of€correctness€requires€appellate€courts€to€defer€to€aÐ ¸'#& Ðtrial€court's€findings€of€fact.€€òòFell€v.€Ramboóó,€36€S.W.3d€837,€846€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€€BecauseÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€the€presumption,€an€appellate€court€is€bound€to€leave€a€trial€court's€finding€of€fact€undisturbedÐ )à$( Ðunless€it€determines€that€the€aggregate€weight€of€the€evidence€demonstrates€that€a€finding€of€factÐ |*Ì%) Ðother€than€the€one€found€by€the€trial€court€is€more€probably€true.€€òòParks€Props.€v.€Maury€Countyóó,€70Ð h+¸&* ÐS.W.3d€at€742.€€Thus,€for€the€evidence€to€preponderate€against€a€trial€court's€finding€of€fact,€it€mustÐ ° Ðsupport€another€finding€of€fact€with€greater€convincing€effect.€òòWalker€v.€Sidney€Gilreath€&€Assocs.óó,Ð œì Ð40€S.W.3d€66,€71€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àThese€standards€for€reviewing€the€weight€of€the€evidence€in€a€non„jury€proceeding€mustÐ `° Ðnecessarily€be€objective.€€In€cases€like€this€one,€they€cannot€be€colored€by€the€vulnerability€of€theÐ L œ Ðvictim€or€the€inherently€heinous€nature€of€the€alleged€conduct.€€Persons€seeking€monetary€damagesÐ 8 ˆ Ðfrom€the€state€for€negligence€must€shoulder€the€same€burden€of€proof€as€persons€seeking€monetaryÐ $ t Ðdamages€against€private€parties.€€They€must€establish€each€of€the€necessary€elements€of€their€claimÐ  ` Ðby€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€òòBranch€v.€McCroskeyóó,€No.€03A01„9709„CV„00385,€1998€WLÐ ü L  Ð47873,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€5,€1998)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)€(stating€thatÐ è 8  Ðð ðthe€plaintiff€is€not€entitled€to€a€judgment€unless€the€plaintiff€has€carried€his€initial€burden€of€proof,Ð Ô$  Ði.e.,€proof€on€all€issues€necessary€to€establish€his€claimðð).€Ð À  ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€claim€that€Ms.€Lamb€was€sexually€abused€on€September€14,€1992,€stands€or€falls€on€theÐ pÀ Ðtestimony€of€three€witnesses€ð!ð€Dr.€R.€Leonard€Carroll,€Ms.€Julie€E.€Rosof,€and€Dr.€Sharon€Brandon„Ð \¬ ÐCampbell.€€Dr.€Carroll€physically€examined€Ms.€Lamb€on€September€16,€1992,€at€the€FentressÐ H˜ ÐCounty€Hospital.€€Ms.€Rosof,€a€family€nurse€practitioner,€physically€examined€Ms.€Lamb€atÐ 4„ ÐVanderbilt€University€School€of€Medicine€on€October€15,€1992.€€Dr.€Brandon„Campbell€providedÐ  p Ðpsychological€counseling€to€Ms.€Lamb€from€November€18,€1992€through€February€23,€1993.€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAnna€Lamb€introduced€the€results€of€Dr.€Carrollððs€and€Ms.€Rosofððs€physical€examinationsÐ ä4 Ðof€her€daughter€to€substantiate€her€claim€that€her€daughter€had€been€sexually€abused€on€SeptemberÐ Ð  Ð14,€1992.€€Both€Dr.€Carroll€and€Ms.€Rosof€testified€that€the€condition€of€Ms.€Lambððs€vagina€andÐ ¼  Ðrectum€were€consistent€with€sexual€penetration,€but€they€declined€to€state€that€sexual€abuse€was€theÐ ¨ø Ðonly€cause€of€the€conditions€they€observed.€€Dr.€Carroll€testified€that€he€observed€a€fresh€tear€in€Ms.Ð ”ä ÐLambððs€rectum.€€However,€by€stating€that€the€tear€could€have€been€four€to€five€days€old,€he€could€notÐ €Ð Ðrule€out€the€possibility€that€it€had€occurred€prior€to€September€14,€1992.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àMs.€Rosofððs€examination€revealed€rectal€tears€in€different€locations€than€the€tear€observedÐ D!” Ðby€Dr.€Carroll,€thereby€raising€the€possibility€that€the€tears€she€observed€occurred€after€Anna€LambÐ 0"€  Ðwithdrew€her€daughter€from€school.€€She€also€concluded€that€the€conditions€she€observed€could€haveÐ #l! Ðbeen€as€little€as€one€week€or€as€long€as€one€year€old.€€Most€significantly,€Ms.€Rosof€conceded€thatÐ $X" Ðher€opinion€regarding€the€results€of€physical€examinations€in€sexual€abuse€cases€had€changed€sinceÐ ô$D # Ðshe€examined€Ms.€Lamb€in€October€1992.€€Since€a€biopsy€of€the€scar€tissue€had€not€been€performed,Ð à%0!$ Ðshe€was€no€longer€comfortable€with€her€original€conclusion€that€the€conditions€she€observed€wereÐ Ì&"% Ðconsistent€with€sexual€penetration€and€that€they€were€consistent€with€severe€constipation.׃3×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà  àAnna€Lamb€introduced€Dr.€Brandon„Campbellððs€testimony€to€prove€that€her€daughter€hadÐ ° Ðâ âidentified€the€Dodds€as€persons€who€had€abused€her€sexually.€€Ms.€Lamb€made€these€statementsÐ œì Ðmore€than€two€months€after€the€alleged€abuse€occurred€after€she€had€been€exposed€to€repeatedÐ ˆØ Ðsuggestive€questioning€by€the€members€of€her€family.€€This€repeated€questioning€undermined€theÐ tÄ Ðprobative€value€of€Ms.€Lambððs€statements.€€Both€Mr.€Galloway€and€Mr.€Scott€found€these€statementsÐ `° Ðunreliable€as€early€as€September€19,€1992.€€Mr.€Aebischer€likewise€discounted€them€in€OctoberÐ L œ Ð1992.€€Dr.€Bernet€concluded€that€they€were€ð ðverbal€routines,ðð€not€derived€from€Ms.€LambððsÐ 8 ˆ Ðindependent€memory,€but€rather€from€her€conversations€with€her€mother,€uncle,€and€other€familyÐ $ t Ðmembers.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€this€record€de€novo,€we€have€determined€that€the€State€presented€strong,Ð è 8  Ðprobative€evidence€that€undermined€the€testimony€of€Dr.€Carroll,€Ms.€Rosof,€and€Dr.€Brandon„Ð Ô$  ÐCampbell.€€Reasonable€persons€considering€this€evidence€could€easily€conclude€that€it€does€notÐ À  Ðestablish€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€Ms.€Lamb€had€been€sexually€abused€on€SeptemberÐ ¬ü  Ð14,€1992.€€Accordingly,€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€Commissionerððs€conclusionÐ ˜è  Ðthat€Anna€Lamb€had€failed€to€prove€that€her€daughter€had€been€sexually€abused€on€September€14,Ð „Ô  Ð1992.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ó óˆÐ H˜ Ðà@øøìàòòò òAnna€Lambððs€Invocation€of€the€Res€Ipsa€Loquitur€Doctrineó óóóˆÐ 4„ ÐÌà  àAnna€Lambððs€claim€was€originally€premised€on€the€assertion€that€the€Dunns€had€sexuallyÐ  \ Ðabused€her€daughter€on€September€14,€1992.€€As€this€theory€began€to€unravel,€she€broadened€herÐ øH Ðclaim€to€a€more€general€one€based€on€the€doctrine€of€res€ipsa€loquitur.€€Instead€of€identifying€theÐ ä4 ÐDunns€as€the€wrongdoers,€she€asserted€that€her€daughter€had€been€sexually€molested€on€SeptemberÐ Ð  Ð14,€1992€while€in€the€custody€of€the€staff€of€York€Institute€and€that€sexual€molestation€can€occur€atÐ ¼  ÐYork€Institute€only€when€the€staff€negligently€fails€to€supervise€the€students.€€On€this€appeal,€sheÐ ¨ø Ðinsists€that€the€Commissionerððs€decision€should€be€vacated€because€the€State€failed€to€demonstrateÐ ”ä Ðthat€the€staff€of€York€Institute€took€adequate€precautions€to€safeguard€her€daughter€on€September€14,Ð €Ð Ð1992,€specifically€between€10:00€a.m.€and€11:00€a.m.€€This€argument€fails€for€two€reasons.€€First,Ð l¼ ÐAnna€Lambððs€case€was€not€strong€enough€to€require€the€State€to€explain€how€it€was€acting€with€dueÐ X ¨ Ðcare€to€protect€her€daughter€on€September€14,€1992.€€Second,€the€State€presented€evidence€fromÐ D!” Ðwhich€a€reasonable€person€could€easily€conclude€that€the€staff€of€York€Institute€was€not€negligentÐ 0"€  Ðwith€regard€to€its€supervision€of€Ms.€Lamb€on€September€14,€1992.Ð #l! ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ ô$D # ÐÌà  àThe€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine€is€a€rule€of€evidence,€not€a€rule€of€law.€€òòQuinley€v.€Cockeóó,€183Ð Ì&"% ÐTenn.€428,€438,€192€S.W.2d€992,€996€(1946).€€It€is€intended€to€come€to€the€aid€of€plaintiffs€who€haveÐ ¸'#& Ðno€direct€evidence€of€a€defendantððs€negligence,òò€Provident€Life€&€Accident€Ins.€Co.€v.€ProfessionalÐ ¤(ô#' ÐCleaning€Serv.,€Inc.óó,€217€Tenn.€199,€208,€396€S.W.2d€351,€356€(1965),€by€providing€a€specializedÐ )à$( Ðvehicle€for€considering€circumstantial€evidence€in€negligence€cases.€€òòPoor€Sisters€of€St.€Francis€v.Ð |*Ì%) ÐLongóó,€190€Tenn.€434,€442„43,€230€S.W.2d€659,€663€(1950).€€It€permits,€but€does€not€require,€a€factÐ h+¸&* Ðfinder€ð ðto€infer€negligence€from€the€circumstances€of€an€injury.ðð€€òòSeavers€v.€Methodist€Med.€Ctr.óó,Ð ° Ð9€S.W.3d€86,€91€(Tenn.€1999);€òòShivers€v.€Ramseyóó,€937€S.W.2d€945,€949€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ð œì ÐÌà  àPersons€relying€on€the€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine€need€not€prove€specific€acts€of€negligenceÐ tÄ Ðby€the€defendant.€€òòSummit€Hill€Assocs.€v.€Knoxville€Utils.€Bd.óó,€667€S.W.2d€91,€96€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð `° Ð1983);€òòParker€v.€Warrenóó,€503€S.W.2d€938,€942€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1973).€€They€may€instead€base€theirÐ L œ Ðcase€on€the€circumstances€surrounding€the€injury€if€common€experience€indicates€ð ð(1)€that€the€injuryÐ 8 ˆ Ðwas€probably€the€result€of€negligence,€even€though€the€exact€nature€of€the€negligence€is€unknown,Ð $ t Ðand€(2)€that€it€was€probably€the€defendant€who€was€the€negligent€person.ðð€€òòBurton€v.€WarrenÐ  ` ÐFarmers€Coop.óó,€No.€M1999„00486„COA„R3„CV,€2002€WL€31039345,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.Ð ü L  Ð12,€2002).€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àThe€courts€must€take€care€to€avoid€applying€the€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine€in€a€way€thatÐ À  Ðundermines€our€system€of€tort€liability€based€on€fault.€€Fowler€V.€Harper€et€al.,€òòThe€Law€of€Torts€óóððÐ ¬ü  Ð19.5,€at€27„30€(2d€ed.€1986)€(ð ðHarperðð).€€It€is€not€enough€for€a€plaintiff€to€prove€that€he€or€she€wasÐ ˜è  Ðinjured€by€some€unidentified€personððs€negligence.€€Even€though€there€is€beyond€all€reasonable€doubtÐ „Ô  Ðð ðnegligence€in€the€air,ðð€the€plaintiff€must€still€bring€the€negligence€home€to€the€defendant.€€W.€PageÐ pÀ ÐKeeton,€òòProsser€and€Keeton€on€the€Law€of€Torts€óóðð€39,€at€248€(5th€ed.€1984).€€The€plaintiff€mustÐ \¬ Ðpresent€evidence€that€affords€a€rational€basis€for€concluding€that€the€negligent€conduct€that€causedÐ H˜ Ðthe€injury€is€probably€attributable€to€the€defendant.€€1€Dan€B.€Dobbs,€òòThe€Law€of€Torts€óóðð€157,€at€378Ð 4„ Ð(2001);€Harper€ðð€19.7,€at€45„46.Ð  p ÐÌà  àThe€presumption€of€negligence€arising€from€the€operation€of€the€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrineÐ øH Ðis€rebuttable.€€òòSchindler€v.€Southern€Coach€Lines,€Inc.óó,€188€Tenn.€169,€173,€217€S.W.2d€775,€777Ð ä4 Ð(1949);€òòShivers€v.€Ramseyóó,€937€S.W.2d€at€949.€€Thus,€if€a€plaintiff€satisfies€all€the€elements€of€a€resÐ Ð  Ðipsa€loquitur€claim,€the€burden€of€going€forward€shifts€to€the€defendant€to€explain€or€demonstrateÐ ¼  Ðthat€it€acted€with€reasonable€care€under€the€circumstances.€€òòSummit€Hill€Assocs.€v.€Knoxville€Utils.Ð ¨ø ÐBd.óó,€667€S.W.2d€at€96;€òòParker€v.€Warrenóó,€503€S.W.2d€at€943.€€If€the€defendant€offers€no€explanationÐ ”ä Ðof€its€conduct,€the€fact€finder€may€justifiably€conclude€that€the€defendant€is€liable€for€the€plaintiffððsÐ €Ð Ðinjuries.€€òòSoutheastern€Aviation,€Inc.€v.€Hurdóó,€209€Tenn.€639,€662,€355€S.W.2d€436,€446€(1962);Ð l¼ ÐòòArmes€v.€Hulettóó,€843€S.W.2d€427,€432€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àThe€res€ipsa€loquitur€doctrine€addresses€only€two€of€the€five€elements€of€a€common„lawÐ 0"€  Ðnegligence€claim.׃5×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ð ðIt€permits€an€inference€that€the€defendant€breached€a€duty€it€owed€to€theÐ #l! Ðplaintiff.€It€also€permits€an€inference€that€the€defendantððs€conduct,€whatever€it€was,€caused€theÐ $X" Ðplaintiffððs€injury.€Thus,€to€succeed€with€a€negligence€claim,€a€plaintiff€relying€on€the€doctrine€mustÐ ô$D # Ðstill€prove:€(1)€that€the€defendant€owed€a€duty€to€him€or€her€and€that€the€apparent€cause€of€the€injuryÐ à%0!$ Ðlies€within€the€scope€of€this€duty;€(2)€that€the€plaintiff€suffered€an€injury;€and€(3)€that€the€defendantððsÐ Ì&"% Ðconduct,€whatever€it€may€have€been,€was€the€legal€cause€of€the€plaintiffððs€injury.ðð€€òòBurton€v.€WarrenÐ ° ÐFarmers€Coop.óó,€2002€WL€31039345,€at€*8.Ð œì ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àAnna€Lambððs€evidence€falls€short€of€establishing€a€prima€facie€res€ipsa€loquitur€claim.€€It€isÐ L œ Ðmissing€several€key€ingredients.€€First,€her€evidence€does€not€establish€that€her€daughter€was,€in€fact,Ð 8 ˆ Ðinjured€on€September€14,€1992€while€in€the€care€of€the€staff€of€York€Institute.׃4×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Second,€even€if€theÐ $ t Ðphysical€evidence€is€consistent€with€past€sexual€abuse,€Anna€Lamb€has€not€established€that€Ms.Ð  ` ÐLambððs€injuries€were€probably€caused€by€negligence€and€that€this€negligence€is€attributable€to€theÐ ü L  Ðstaff€of€York€Institute.€€Thus,€because€Anna€Lamb€failed€to€satisfy€the€requirements€for€a€res€ipsaÐ è 8  Ðloquitur€claim,€the€State€never€assumed€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€the€staff€of€York€InstituteÐ Ô$  Ðwas€using€due€care€in€its€supervision€of€Ms.€Lamb€on€September€14,€1992.Ð À  ÐÌà  àAnna€Lambððs€claim€fares€no€better€even€if€we€overlook€the€shortcomings€of€her€res€ipsaÐ ˜è  Ðloquitur€evidence€and€examine€the€Stateððs€proof€regarding€her€daughterððs€supervision€on€SeptemberÐ „Ô  Ð14,€1992.€€Anna€Lamb€challenges€the€adequacy€of€her€daughterððs€supervision€between€10:00€a.m.Ð pÀ Ðand€11:00€a.m.€and€for€the€three€to€five€minutes€sometime€after€noon€when€Ms.€Dunn€left€herÐ \¬ Ðunattended.€€The€State€concedes,€as€it€must,€that€it€owed€a€duty€to€Ms.€Lamb€while€she€was€at€YorkÐ H˜ ÐInstitute€and€offered€detailed€testimony€regarding€its€supervision€of€Ms.€Lamb€from€the€time€sheÐ 4„ Ðarrived€at€school€on€September€14,€1992,€until€the€time€she€was€placed€on€the€bus€to€go€home.€€ThisÐ  p Ðevidence,€consisting€of€the€testimony€of€Mses.€Dunn€and€Peavyhouse,€provides€more€than€an€ampleÐ  \ Ðbasis€for€a€fact€finder€to€determine€that€the€staff€at€York€Institute€was€not€negligent€in€the€mannerÐ øH Ðin€which€they€were€supervising€Ms.€Lamb€on€September€14,€1992.Ð ä4 ÐÌ€€à@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àWe€affirm€the€Commissionerððs€judgment€dismissing€Anna€Lambððs€claim€and€remand€theÐ ˜è Ðclaim€to€the€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€for€whatever€further€proceedings€may€be€required.€€WeÐ „Ô Ðtax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€Anna€Lamb€and€her€surety€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€mayÐ pÀ Ðissue.Ð \ ¬ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________€Ð  $\" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE